S s-substituted 2 2-di-thio- sulfinyl- and sulfonyl-alkanal and alkanone n-substituted carbamoyloximes

ABSTRACT

NEW OXIMES HAVING THE FORMULA   R1-C(-R1A1)(-R2A2)-C(-R4)=N-OH FUNCTION, TO OBTAIN S,S-SUBTITUTED THIO-, SULFINYL-, SULFONYLALKANAL AND -ALKANONE N-SUBSTITUTED CARBAMOYLOXIME COMPOUNDS HAVING A HIGH DEGREE OF EFFECTIVENESS AS NEMATOCIDES, ACARICIDES AND INSECTICIDES WHEN AN EFFECTIVE AMOUNT OF THE COMPOUND IS APPLIED TO PLANTS OR TO THE SOIL IN WHICH THEY ARE GROWING.     ARE REACTED WITH SELECTED ISOCYANATES, OR WITH PHOSGENE FOLLOWED BY A REACTION WITH A COMPOUND CONTAINING A REACTIVE AMINO   -NH-

United States Patent S,S-SUBSTITUTED 2,2-DI-THIO-, SULFINYL, AND

SULFONYL-ALKANAL AND ALKANONE N-SUB- STITUTED CARBAMOYLOXIMES Tomas L. Fridinger and Edward L. Mutsch, Woodbury Township, Washington County, Minn., assignors to Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company, St. Paul, Minn.

No Drawing. Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 753,752, Aug. 19, 1969. This application July 11, 1969, Ser. No. 841,142

Int. Cl. C07c 131/00; C07d 71/00, 73/00 U.S. Cl. 260-327 M 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE New oximes having the formula are reacted with selected isocyanates, or with phosgene followed by a reaction with a compound containing a reactive amino function, to obtain S,S-substituted thio-, sulfinyl-, sulfonylalkanal and -alkanone N-substituted carbamoyloxime compounds having a high degree of effectiveness as nematocides, acaricides and insecticides when an effective amount of the compound is applied to plants or to the soil in which they are growing.

This application is a continuation-in-part of copending application Ser. No. 753,752, filed Aug. 19, 1968 now abandoned.

Certain alkanal and alkanone oxime carbamates are known to the art which possess insecticidal, miticidal or nematocidal activity, for example see U.S. Pats. 3, 299,137 and 3,217,037. However, compounds in which one alpha carbon atom of the alkanal or alkanone portion of an oxime is bonded to two substituted sulfur atoms, or their carbamate derivatives, have not been previously reported nor has the use of the latter as efiective insecticides, acaricides and nematocides been suggested.

This invention relates to S,S-substituted 2,2-thio, sulfinyland sulfonyl-alkanal and -alkanone oximes and their N-substituted carbamoyloxime derivatives. These novel carbamoyloxime derivatives possess insecticidal, acaricidal and nematocidal activity.

The present invention provides compounds of the formula RrA R3 3,646,062 Patented Feb. 29, 1972 wherein A and A are independently selected from the group consisting of thio, sulfinyl and sulfonyl linkages, R R and R are independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl and alkenyl having up to 4 carbon atoms, or R and R taken together form an alkylene or alkenylene group having up to 12 carbon atoms, having 2 to 5 carbon atoms in the chain linking the sulfur atoms, R, is hydrogen or alkyl having up to 4 carbon atoms, and R and R are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and alkyl, cycloaliphatic, alkoxy and alkenyl radicals having up to about 10 carbon atoms, and only one of R and R may be hydrogen.

In the presently preferred compounds of the present invention R is methyl or ethyl, R and R together either contain no more than 5 carbon atoms or form an alkylene linking group having 2 or 3 carbon atoms in the chain linking the sulfur atoms. R, is hydrogen, R is methyl or ethyl and R is hydrogen. Such compounds are preferred because they exhibit a superior degree of nematocidal activity although all of the compounds disclosed herein have a degree of nematocidal action.

The oxime compounds used as starting materials in both of the above described alternative synthetic procedures may be prepared from the corresponding aldehydes or ketones by reaction with hydroxylamine hydro chloride in the presence of an acid acceptor such as potassium acetate in a suitable solvent such as ethanol.

Some exemplary oximes are the following:

5-formyl5-methyl-4,6-dithiepin dithiolane oxime tetraoxido oxiine 2-forrny1-2,6-dimethyl-l,3- dithiane oxime monoxide The aldehyde and ketone precursors used to prepare useful oximes may be prepared by methods known to the art,

e.g. the reaction of alpha-ketoaldehydes with mercaptans as described by Tomas L. Fridinger, Ph.D. Thesis, University of Maryland, 1967 (it has been discovered that this reaction may also be applied to alpha-diketones), or the formylation or alkanoylation of dithio-substituted carbon atoms in the presence of very strong bases, as de scribed by E. J. Corey et al., Angewandte Chemie, International edition, 4, 1075 (1965).

When the reaction of alpha-ketoaldehydes with mercaptans is applied to symmetrical alpha-diketones, only one isomeric ketomercaptol is possible. When this reaction is applied to unsymmetrical alpha-diketones, isomeric mixtures of ketomercaptols are obtained which must be separated.

The carbamoyloxime compounds of this invention can be prepared in a variety of ways from the correspondingly substituted oximes. One synthetic route involves addition of an isocyanate to the substituted oxime having R R R and R substituents corresponding to the desired compound and is illustrated by the following equation wherein A A R R R R and R are defined as before:

The isocyanate addition can be carried out, generally, by contacting the oxime with the isocyanate in an inert organic solvent, and preferably in the presence of a tertiary amine as a catalyst. The reaction may be efiected at temperatures ranging from about C. to about 130 C. and is preferably carried out between room temperature and 80 C. Generally, temperatures substantially in excess of about 130 C. are to be avoided in view of the temperature sensitivity of the product carbamoyloxime. The operating pressure may range from about 1 atmosphere to about 10 atmospheres, preferably from about 1 to about 3 atmospheres, and is dependent upon the concentration and vapor pressure of the volatile isocyanate at the reaction temperature. The inert organic solvents that can be employed in the reaction are those inert to isocyanates in general, i.e. those free of radicals such as hydroxy or amino radicals. Illustrative solvents are aliphatic ketones such as acetone, aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, such as hexane, heptane, octane, benzene, toluene and the like, and others such as diethyl ether, ethyl propyl ether and the like. Generally, amounts of said teritary amine catalyst from about 0.1 to about 1.0 weight percent of the starting material comprised of an isocyanate and the oxime are suflicient. Aliphatic and/or aromatic tertiary amines are useful for this purpose, e.g. dimethylaniline, triethylamine or the like. The mole ratio of isocyanate to oxime can range from about 0.25 :1 to about 2:1, but preferably an equimolar amount or slight excess of the isocyanate is employed to insure that the oxime is completely reacted. The reaction time may vary from about 5 minutes to about 7 days, but normally when operating in the preferred temperature range, reaction times of from about one-half hour to about 5 hours are sufficient for complete reaction.

The carbamoyloxime product formed, either a solid or oily liquid, can be recovered from the reaction mixture by means known to the art, e.g. by vacuum-distillation to drive off solvent and excess isocyanate.

Another synthetic route involves the reaction of a substituted oxime with phosgene to form the chloroformate which in turn is reacted with a compound containing a reactive amino function such as a primary or secondary amine, substituted hydroxylamines and the like to give the desired oxime carbamate of this invention. The synthesis is illustrated by the following equations wherein A A R R R R R and R are defined as before:

In step (1) above, a solution of the oxime compound in e.g. ethyl ether is conveniently added slowly to a solution of phosgene in toluene or ethyl ether or other suitable organic solvent in the presence of a hydrochloric acid acceptor such as a suitable amine, e.g. dimethyl aniline. The reaction can be carried out at from 30 C. to about 40 C., but will generally be found to proceed most advantageously between 10 C. and room temperature. The reaction is slightly exothermic so that some external cooling is usually necessary to maintain the temperature within the desired range. The reaction mixture can be washed with water to remove the byproduct amine hydrochloride and the organic layer containing the chloroformate (IV) can be used for further reactions. The addition of the reactant containing a reactive amino function, step (2) above, is carried out in the presence of solvents for said reactant, such as water, dioxane, toluene or chloroform, at temperatures between about --40 C. and about C. and preferably below about 40 C. inasmuch as the reaction proceeds smoothly even at low temperatures and is so rapid above 40 C. that loss of low boiling reactants may occur and some decomposition may take place.

The sulfinyland sulfonyl-linked compounds of our invention are prepared by oxidizing the corresponding sulfide-linked carbamoyloxime compound of the invention with dilute solutions of peracetic acid or with sodium metaperiodate. Alternatively, the oxidation step may be carried out using the alkanal, alkanone or oxime intermediates, using selective conditions known to the art. It may be desirable, or even necessary, to protect the carbonyl group before oxidation, for example by forming the acetal or ketal.

The invention will be further understood by reference to the following illustrative and non-limiting examples, in which all parts are by weight unless otherwise noted. All melting points given are uncorrected.

EXAMPLE 1 ot,a-Bis(methylthio)propionaldehyde oxime N-methylcarbamate N,N,N',N'-Tetramethylethylenediamine (11.6 g., 0.1 mole) is added to 71.5 ml. of 1.4 N n-butyllithium in hexane at -20 C. Acetaldehyde dimethyldithioacetal (12.2 g., 0.1 mole) is added dropvvise to this mixture. After 2 hours, 8.05 g. of dimethylformamide (0.11 mole) is added dropwise. The reaction is allowed to warm to room temperature and stirred overnight. The mixture is poured into 200 ml. of Water, acidified and extracted with 75 ml. of hexane three times. The combined extracts are washed with ml. of 2 percent potassium hydroxide and 50 ml. of water two times, dried over magnesium sulfate and evaporated in vacuo. The residue weighs 9.95 g. The infrared spectrum of the product is consistent with the assigned structure for c m-bis(methylthio)propionaldehyde.

a,ot bis(methylthio)propionaldehyde (9.95 g., 55 mmoles), potassium acetate (6.47 g., 66 mmoles) and bydroxylamine hydrochloride (4.58 g., 66 mmoles) are refiuxed 3 hours in 80 ml. of ethanol. Potassium chloride is A stirred mixture of 162.4 g. of 2-formyl-2-methyl-l,3- removed by filtration and the filtrate evaporated to near dithiolane (1.1 moles), 83.4 g. of hydroxylamine hydrodryness. The addition of ice precipitates a cream solid chloride (1.2 moles), 117.8 g. of potassium acetate (1.2 which is collected by filtration. The infrared spectrum is moles) and 1:1 ethanol-water (1.0 liter) is heated at reconsistent with the assigned structure for a t-bis (methyl- 5 flux for 6 hours, then cooled in a freezer overnight. White thio)propionaldehyde oxime. crystals of 2-formyl-2-methyl-1,3-dithiolane oxime are Four drops of triethylamine and 3.8 g. of u,a-bis(methcollected by filtration, washed with a cold solution of 1:1 ylthio)propionaldehyde oxime (23 mmoles) are dissolved ethanol-water (200 ml.) and dried in vacuo, M.P. 104- in 30 ml. of chloroform. Methyl isocyanate (5.24 g., 92 106.5 C. mmoles) in 10 ml. of chloroform is added dropwise, with 10 Analysis.Calculated for C H NOS (percent): C, stirring. The mixture is heated to reflux, refluxed for two 36.8; H, 5.6; N, 8.6. Found (percent): C, 37.0; H, 5.5;

hours and then evaporated in vacuo. The residual oil is N, 8.3. triturated with a 50/50 mixture of hexane and benzene. Using the general method described, the following This solid is recrystallized from 50/ 50 hexane/benzene, oxime intermediates of the present invention are prepared and the product has a melting point of 62-65 C. Its infrom the compounds described above in Example 6.

frared and proton magnetic resonance spectra are consistent with the assigned structure of the desired carbamoyl- 2-formyl-2-methylcyclohexano-1,3-dithiolane oxime,

oxime compound. 2-f0rmyl-2,4,6-trimethyl-1,3-dithiane oxime,

Analysis-Calculated for C H N O S (percent): C, 2-formyl-2-methyl-1,3-dithiane oxime,

37.8; H, 6.3; N, 12.6. Found (percent): C, 38.1; H, 6.1; 2-formyl-2,4-dimethyl-1,3-dithiolane oxime,

N, 12 4 2-formyl-2,5-dirnethylbenzo-1,3-dithiolane oxime, Using the procedure of Example 1 the products of the 2-formyl-2-methyl-4-phenyl:1,3-dithiolane oxime, following table are obtained using commercially available 2-formyl-2,4-d1methyl-1,3-d1thrane oxime, isocyanates as the reactants, 4-ethyl-2-formyl-2-methyl-1,3-dithiolane oxime,

TABLE I E 1 Reaetnnts Nif e Oxime Isueyanate Product 2 a,a-Bis(methyltliio)propionaldehyde oxime n-Butyl isocyauate ag-liiqmethylthio)propionaldehyde oxime N-n-butylcarbaa 8. 3 dn 7 Allyl isocyanate a,a-Bis(methylthlo)propionaldehyde oxime N-allylcarbamate- 4 dn Ethyl isocyanate a,a-Bis(methylthio)piopionaldehyde oxime N-ethylearbamate. 5 d Cyclohexylisocyanate" a,g-Bis( m0thylthio)pronionaldehyde oxime N-cyclohexylcar- EXAMPLE 6 2-acetyl-2-methyl-1,3-dithiolane oxime,

2-acetyl-2,4-dimethyl-1,3-dithiolane oxime, and Y Y oxlme 4O 2-ethyl-2-propionyl-1,3-dithiolane oxime.

N ,N-dimethylcarbamate To a stirred, cold (05 C.) solution of 24 g. of N,N-

A stirred mixture of 360.3 g. of a 40 percent aqueous dimethylaniline (0.2 mole) and 200 ml. of diethyl ether solution of pyruvaldehyde (2.0 moles), 179 g. of under a nitrogen atmosphere and protected by a Dry Ice ethanedithiol (1.90 moles), 600 ml. of benzene and 2.0 g. condenser is added by bubbling 22 g. of gaseous phosgene of p-toluenesulfonic acid hydrate is heated at reflux for 4 (0.22 mole). As the solution becomes cloudy, 32.6 g. of hours, during which time about 175 ml. of water separates 2-formyl-2-methyl-1,3-dithiolane oxime (0.20 mole) disin a Dean-Stark trap. The dark brown solution is stirred solved in 200 ml. of diethyl ether is added dropwise while for 6 hours at room temperature, then poured into 300 maintaining the reaction temperature between --5 and ml. of diethyl ether. This solution is washed with 500 ml. +5 C. After the completion of the addition, the reaction of S-percent sodium bicarbonate solution, then 500 ml. of is stirred for an additional hour at 0 C., then filtered. water, and dried over magnesium sulfate. The dried solu- The colorless filtrate is reduced in volume to 240 m1. tion is fractionally distilled under water pump vacuum, To an 80 ml. portion of this filtrate maintained at O-5 and the fraction boiling from 105 to 108 C. is examined C. is added dropwise with stirring 9.0 g. of dimethylamine by infrared analysis. The spectrum of the fraction is con- 0.20 mole). This solution is stirred for an additional hour sistent for the structure of 2-formyl-2-methyl-1,3-dithi0- at 0 C., and the white solid product removed by filtration. lane. Recrystallization from n-hexane gives white crystals, M.P. Analysis.Calculated for C H OS (percent): C, 40.5; 75-76 C. The infrared spectrum of the compounds is H, 5.4. Found (percent): C, 40.7; H, 5.6. consistent with the structure of 2-formyl-2-methyl-1,3-di- Using the general method described, the following dethiolane oxime N,N-dimethylcarbamate. rivatives of a-dicarbonyl compounds useful as intermedi- EXAMPLE 7 ates for the preparation of oxime intermediates of the present invention are prepared from known starting ma- 4butyl'z'formyl'z'methyl'l3'dithiolane oxime terials. These intermediates are identified by their method 'dlmethylcarbamate f Synthesis and i f d Spectra Using the procedure of Example 6 and replacing 2 formyl-2-methyl-1,3-dithiolane with 4-butyl-2-formyl-2- y y Q- methyl-1,3-dithiolane the desired product is obtained, as

y Y Q- indicated by infrared spectral analysis, as white crystals -ormyime y- 1 loane,

2-formyl-2,S-dimethylbenzo-1,3-dithiolane, EXAMPLE 8 2 f 1 2 th 1 4 h l-1 3 dithio1an 2-Formyl-2-methyl-1,3-dithiolane oxime N- 2-formyl-2,4-dimethyl-1,3-dithiane, methylcarbamate 4-ethyl-2-formyl-2-methyl-1,3-dithiolane, To a stirred solution of 2-formyl-2-methyl-1,3-dithio- 2-acetyl-2-methyl-l,3dithiolane, lane oxime (81.6 g., 0.50 mole), triethylamine (1.0 ml.)

2-acetyl-2,4-dimethyl-1,3-dithiolane, and and acetone (50 ml.) is added 30.8 g. of methyl isocyanate 2-ethyl-2-propionyl-1,3-dithiolane. (0.54 mole) in 50 ml. of acetone. This reaction mixture is heated at reflux temperature for 12 hours, cooled and fifteen minutes a solution of sodium metaperiodate (9.0 filtered. The volume of the solution is reduced to about g., 42 mmoles) in water (100 ml.). A white precipitate 250 ml. by evaporation under vacuum. The product is forms. The mixture is stirred cold ,(10 C.) for 45 obtained as a white solid and recrystallized from acetone, minutes and filtered. The filtrate is evaporated in vacuo, M.P. 122-124 C. The infrared spectrum is consistent with 5 removing the solvent. The residue is extracted three times the assigned structure. with chloroform (50 ml. portions), the extracts are dried Analysis.-Calcu1ated for C H N O S (percent): C, over magnesium sulfate, and the chloroform removed in 38.2; H, 5.5. Found (percent): C, 38.0; H, 5.4. vacuo. Diethyl ether is added to the residue, then removed Using the procedure of Example 8 the products of the in vacuo. chloroform and hexane are added to the residue following table are obtained using commercially available 10 and the mixture is heated. The product, 2-formyl-2- isocyanates as reactants. The oximes may be prepared as methyl-1,3-dithiolane oxime N-methylcarbamate S,S- diin Example 6. oxide, M.P. 126 C. (dec.), a tan solid, is removed by TABLE II Reactants Example No. Oxime Isoeyanate Product q 2-formyl-2-methyl-l,B-dithiolane oxime Ethylisoe yanate 2-fo2r2m1y2l5- 2 -methyl-l,3-dithiolane oximeN-ethylearbamate,M.P.

1 10...; do n-Butylisoeyanate. 241???gaznfitgyl-lfi-dithiolane oxime N-n-butylcarbamate,

. 7-7 11 do Allyl isoeyanate 2io3rmyl--metl1yl-l,3-dithiolane oxime N -allylearbamate, M.P-

5 54 12 2-ffignsiglg methyl-1,3-d.ithiane oxime, M.P. 145- Methyl isocyanate 2-fonnyl-(23-methyl-l,3-dithiane oxime N-methylcarbamate, M.P.

96-99 13.--- 2formyl-2,4-dimethyl-1,3-dithiolane oxime,M.P. do 2-formyl-2,4-dimethyl1.3-dithio1nne oxime N-methylearba (iii-65 C. mate, M.P. 73-76 C. 2-formyl-2,4,6-trimethyl-1,3-dithia11e oxime do 2-ionnyl-2,4,6-t imeth l-l,3-dithiane oxime N-methylcarbamate, M.P. 4550 C. 15 2-formyl-2-methycyelohexano-l,3-dithiolane ..do 2Jenny}-2-methyleyelohexano-t,3-dithiolane oxime N-methyloxime. carbarnate, M.P. 132-134" C. 16 2-formyl-2-methyl-l,3-d1thiolane oxime t-Buty1 isocyanate 2-ie iniylz-2-nggtgyl-l,3-dithiolane oxime N-t-butylcarbamate,

. .ui-S 17--.-.- 2-formyl-2,5-dimethylbenzo-1,3-dithiolane oxime- Methyl isocyanate 2-fonnyl-2,5-dimethylbenzo-l,B-dithiolane oxime N-methylcarbamate, M.P. 125-127" C. 18 2-formyl-2-methyl-4-phenyl-l,3-dithiolane oxirne do 2-ionnyl-2-methyl-4-phenyl-1,3-dithiolane oxime N-methylcarbamate, M.P. 129l32 C. 2-1'0nnyl-2,4-dimethyl-l,3-dithiane oxime do 2-fI rmy11-02,4%ir n athyl-1,3-dithiane oxime N-rnethylcarbamate,

LP. 6-1 7 20 44thyl-2-formyl-2-methyl1,3-d.ithiolane oxime do. 2-%thyl--formyl-2-methyl-1,3-dithtolane oxime N-methylcarama e. 21 2-acetyl-2-methyl-l,3'dithiolane oxime do 2-eltfietyl-2-mfg ylc-l,3-dithiolnne oxime N-methylcarbamate.

' .P. 107- 22 2-acetyl-2,4-dimethyl1,3-dithiolane oxime do 2-a elei yl-2Aginn ethyl-lfi-dithiolane oxime N-methylcarbamate,

EXAMPLE 23 filtration. Cooling the filtrate gives a second crop of 2-formyl-2-methy1-l,3-dithiolane oxime N- Product methylcarbamate s,sr e AnulyszL-Calculated for cqH1 N O S (percent). C,

33.3; H, 4.8; N, 11.1. Found (percent): C, 33.0; H, 4.8; To a stirred, cold (0-5 C.) solution of 2-formyl-2- N,11 0

methY1-1,3-d ithi01a116 OXime N-meihylcafbamate 45 The carbamoyloxime derivatives of the invention are -9 mole) m glacial acetic acid is added P- tested for nematocidal activity by a standard test method Wise 30 Percent hydrogen Peroxide solution g", using roots of tomato plants infested with nematodes mole). The solution is then heated to reflux for 2.5 hours. (M l id i im, ar, rit They are tested for Next, 75 0f Wale! 1S addfid, and the Solution is Cooled acaricidal activity by a standard test method using cotton y- White crystals Separate f are collected film! plants infested with T etranychus lelwrium and for their P J- The Infrared spectrum is insecticidal activity using houseflies (Musca domestica) sistent with the asslgned structure. d mosquito larvae (A d aegypti) EXAMPLE 24 The following compounds were found to have a particu- 2 f0rmy1 2 methy1 1,3 dithio1ane Oxime N larly high degree of activity as nematocides, acaricides or methylcarbamate S-oxide msecncldes: To a cold (0-5 C.) solution of 2formyl-2-methyl-l,3- z'formyl'z'methyl'lJdlthlolane oxlme N- dithiolane oxime N-meth lcarbamate 4.4 0.02 mole methylcarbamate in methanol (100 ml.) is added sodium nietaperioda e z'formyl'z'methyl'13'd1th1amoxlmeN' (4.3 g., 0.02 mole) in water (50 ml.). External cooling is methylcarbafnate necessary to maintain the temperature at 0-5 C. The miX- z'formyl'zA'dlmethyl'l3'd1th1lane oxlme ture is stirred cold for 4 hours, then allowed to warm to methylcarbamateroom temperature, and the white solid is removed by filtration. The filtrate is reduced in volume in vacuo to afford an oil which slowly solidifies. Recrystallization from 1:1 5 ethyl acetatezbenzene gives beige crystals, M.P. 96-97 C. (dec.). The infrared spectrum of this compound is con- While all of the carbamyloxime compounds falling Within the scope of the present invention as described in the general formula set forth hereinabove exhibit some nematocidal or insecticidal activity, it is to be understood that some are more eiiective than others. The aboveslstent wlth the asslgned structure listed compounds are examples of preferred embodiments EXAMPLE 25 which exhibit high activity, particularly as nematocides. 2-formyl-2-methyl-1,3-dithio1ane oxime N- h i f wmmlilited in this may methylcarbamate S s, dioxide applied as insecticides, acartcides and nematocides accordmg to methods known to those skllled 1n the art. Pesticrdal To a stirred, cold (0-5 C.) solution of 2-formyl-2- compositions containing the compounds as the active toximethyl-l,3-dithiolane oxime N-methylcarbamate (4.4 g., cant will usually comprise a carrier or diluent, either 20 mmols) in methanol (150 ml.) is added dropwise over liquid or solid.

Liquid concentrates may be prepared by dissolving one of these compounds with a solvent such as acetone or Xylene and dispersing the toxicants in water with the aid of suitable surface active agents, i.e. dispersing and emulsifying agents.

The choice of dispersing and emulsifying agent and the amount employed is dictated by the nature of the composition and the ability of the agent to facilitate the dispersion of the toxicant. Generally, it is desirable to use as little of the agent as is possible, consistent with the desired dispersion of the toxicant in the spray so that rain does not re-emulsify the toxicant after it is applied to the plant and wash it off the plant. Nonionic, anionic or cationic surface active agents may be employed, for example, the condensation products, of alkylene oxides with phenol and organic acids, alkyl aryl sulfonates, complex ether alcohols, quaternary ammonium compounds, and the like.

In the preparation of Wettable powder or dust or granulated compositions, the active ingredient is dispersed in and on an appropriately divided solid carrier such as clay, talc, bentonite, diatomaceous earth, charcoal, corn cob granules, fullers earth, and the like. In the formulation of the wettable powders the aforementioned surface active agents as well as lignosulfonates can be included.

The required amount of the toxicants contemplated herein may be applied per acre treated in from 1 to 200 gallons or more of water as diluent or in from about 5 to 500 pounds of inert solid carrier or diluent. The concentration in the liquid concentrate will usually vary from about 5 to 30 percent by weight, and in the solid formulations from about 2 to about 80 percent by weight. The formulations are applied in amounts which contain from about one-fourth to 15 pounds of active toxicant per acre.

The pesticides contemplated herein prevent attack by insects, mites and nematodes upon plants or other material to which the pesticides are applied, and they have high residual toxicity. With respect to plants they have a high margin of safety in that when used in sufiicient amount to kill or repel the insects, they do not burn or injure the plant. The toxicants are sufficiently chemically inert that they are compatible with substantially any other constituents of the spray schedule, and they may be used in the soil, upon the seeds or the roots of plants without injuring either the seeds or roots of plants, yet by imbibition or root uptake they may kill the pests feeding thereon. Furthermore, their properties are such that they are not unacceptably hazardous to the user.

Some of the novel oximes of this invention have central nervous system depressant activity such as muscle relaxation and sedation.

1 0 What is claimed is: 1. A compound of the formula wherein A and A are independently selected from the group consisting of thio, sulfinyl and sulfonyl linkages, R R and R are independently selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl and lower alkenyl, or R and R taken together form an alkylene or alkenylene group having up to 12 carbon atoms, 2 to 5 carbon atoms of which form a chain linking the sulfur atoms, R, is hydrogen or lower alkyl, and R and R are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and alkyl, cycloaliphatic, alkoxy and alkenyl radicals having up to 10 carbon atoms, and only one of R and R may be hydrogen.

2. The compound a x-bis(methylthio)propionaldehyde oxime N-methylcarbamate.

3. The compound 2 formyl 2-methyl-1,3-dithiolane oxime N-methylcarbamate.

4. The compound 2 formyl 2-methyl-l,3-dithiane oxime N-methylcarbamate.

5. The compound 2-formyl-2,4-dimethyl-1,3-dithiolane oxime N-methylcarbamate.

6. The compound 2 acetyl 2-methyl-1,3-dithiolane oxime N-methylcarbamate.

7. The compound 2 acetyl 2,4-dimethyl-l,3-dithiolane oxime N-methylcarbamate.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,193,561 7/1965 Addor 260-327 3,217,037 11/1965 Payne, et a1. 260-566 3,317,562 5/1967 Addor 260-327 3,337,396 8/1967 Spurr 167-22 3,459,866 8/1969 Buchanan 424-327 3,467,672 9/1969 Addor 260-327 HENRY R. JILES, Primary Examiner C. M. SHURKO, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

260-453 R, 566 A, 566 AC, 593 R, 601 R; 424-277, 327 

